Life in Thailand (Continued)

[BC_]

Very interesting

OctaviousBP, I would just like to say I think your journey to thailand post are very informative, and want to say thanks for taking the time to post. I have a question. HOw much would you say it would cost to spend 6 months in thailand for training. American money. So when are you going to fight?

[OctaviousBP]

I have a question. HOw much would you say it would cost to spend 6 months in thailand for training. American money.

Well, it all depends on how you go about it. There are many factors that affect cost, like where in Thailand will you be training? Do you like Thai food (local food), what are your tastes in accomodation, can you do your own laundry, do you need a mode of transportation.

I will break it down in Baht for you, and you can run the figures through a currency exchange site, such as www.xe.com/ucc to get the American numbers.

As I stated, I'm at Lanna. The fee for a month of training, paid in advance, is 5000 baht. Fairtex costs 150$ USD a week, if I'm not mistaken, and includes two meals a day, and accomadation. (All of Fairtex's prices are in American currency, and they only deal in the dollar.)

From what I gather in chatting with people from my 4 months here, you can expect to pay roughly 10,000 Baht a month for training, basic food, and basic accomodation. There is a camp in Ubon Ratchatani that charges this monthly fee for an all inclusive package. But I digress... my expenses are as follows.

Training by month: 5 000 Baht
Room by month: 2 500 Baht
Utilities: 500 Baht
Motobike by month: 2 500 Baht
Food by month (est.): 2 500 Baht
Entertainment (est.): 2 500 Baht

Total 15 500 Baht a month (Roughly 360$ USD)

If you eat like a local, your meals should definately not exceed 30 Baht. If you have to have Western, it will cost you. Western entrees tend to start around 90 Baht.


So when are you going to fight?

I'm thinking mid May. I'm finally feeling like I can start pushing myself again. I've put on roughly ten kg, which is good since I was only a little over 60 when I got here. My cardio is back up... in fact this week, I will have run well over 50km, some of which up mountains. I'm working on timing and distance now, and going to start to work the clinch a lot as well. It's been an interesting adjustment to see how the Thais fight.

[OctaviousBP]

It finally happened

Well, after months of hard work and good training, I finally realized my dream of stepping in the ring. I made my debut as a pro fighter in Thailand lastnight.

It's been a weird past few days. When I got back from the camp on Thursday, I found out that my best friend had flown in from Taipei to watch me fight. What can I say, the guy is amazing, and having him here was great support.

I had two great sleep filled nights prior to the fight, and I was getting crazy butterflies or anything. I think the key was knowing that I did everything I possibly could to prepare for this fight, and didn't leave anything behind. This makes it much easier on the nerves, because you're not thinking about what you COULD have done more to prepare for this.

The promoter, I must say, did a fantastic job of matching my opponent and I up. Often times here in Thailand, when a foreigner is involved, one of two things usually happens. One: You get a brawling foreigner who is more interested in the knockout then fighting a good fight, and just comes out swinging at the Thai guy, hoping to pummel him in the first or second round. Or, two: You get an insanely experienced thai guy fighting a foreigner with little or no experience, usually because of the weight class. By this I mean that there are few thais who fight in the upper 60 and 70 kilo range, meaning they land alot of fights with foreigners, and are used to how they fight. Luckily for me, I got a young guy (a few years younger than myself) who did have a bit more experience then me, but nothing crazy. The difference was made up by me having 2-4 kilos weight on him. The fight had us listed as 60kg fighters, however that wasn't even close. I myself was 67, and he was 64-65ish.

Anyways, it ended up being a good fight. I got dumped no less than 3 times in the clinch, and he definately displayed superiority inside. I didn't throw him once. Going into the fight, I resoluted not to throw and elbow until he did (despite the drunken masses screaming for blood) and stuck with it. In the end no elbows were thrown. He showed much respect before, during, and after the fight, and I tried to do the same. It is a great opportunity to fight in Thailand, because there is much less posing, posturing, and intimidation. You just fight, and shut up about it.

I digress, the fight ended up going the distance, and I landed a few headkicks. I pressed the fight the entire length, however didn't fight the best fight, but much to my suprise, after the ref took the cards from the judges, he pointed to my corner. I guess I had landed enough shots, and had a more dominate ring presence to sway the judges. I think the key was everytime he threw me, I made every effort to just bounce right back up, and throw something at him. I ended up winning the 4th and the 5th rounds with good headkicks, (one of which knocking him down).

I am thrilled (understand this being AFTER the fight) that the fight went the full 5 rounds, because I learned a whole lot. The game changes from round to round, and it is really quite the experience. I lost the first 3 rounds, and then to hear the gamblers go absolutely insane after I knocked him down in the 4th was something I'll never forget. It was just crazy. I think the switch flipped in my head, and my opponent knew it as well. He got on his bicycle, and I had to chase him down. He fought a smart fight, and when I finally cornered him he would throw something and immediately grab onto me and hold me.

When it was all said and done, I feel okay physically. My shins hurt, my feet KILL, my ribs are a little tender, but no cuts, no stitches. Every inch of my body feels stiff, and I'm learning about new muscles that I never knew I had, because now they hurt too. During the fight, I felt absolutely now pain off of anything, and then after my fight, my corner asked me if I was okay, and I was like "absolutely nothing hurts, I feel great". Then every 5 minutes from that time on, as the adrenaline wore off, something new started to ache.

Anyways, sorry about the convuludedness of the post. It's only been 8 hours since the fight, and I didn't sleep much lastnight. I just wanted to get something down while I still had a few memories of the fight.

David

[retired]

well done mate, i would loved to have fought in thailand

[Guest]

Yep. You're living the Martial Arts in a way that few of us could. I take my hat off to you.

[terry]

Congratulations on a job well done, David. All the better that you had the honor to share the ring with a worthy opponent.

Terry

[aseepish]

Well done! Congratulations!

[Damian Mavis]

DAVE!! Congrats man, that's awesome. I'm so happy for you Dude, sounds like you got a great fight experience. My fight wasn't nearly as productive as yours and I kind of envy your experience. I've been back for about a month and a half now and can't wait to get back to Thailand.....I'm counting the days until December when I go back. Make sure you tell us how Natasha does... unless that is private in which case never mind! How much longer are you and Natasha staying in Thailand? Will I ever see you at the Academy again before I finally flip out and just move to Thailand forever?! heh. Good Job Dave, see you later.

Damian Mavis

[Tom Yum]

Sounds like it was a memorable experience.

[eighteenvisions]

OCTAVIOUSBP

SOWWATDEKRUP
Do you know how far Khorat is from your camp???? I am supposed to visit Thailand hopefully this fall. I am half Thai 22 and barely speak the language. Maybe not for you but to me it seems a very complex language. So I take it people speak english in the camp??? I was intrested in attending Muay Thai while their but I look like a damn Mexican(no offense) I read that they don't hold back when fighting a foriener does this apply to training as well?? If you do speak Thai do you know how to say Take it easy on me I'm an american city boy?

[OctaviousBP]

Hey Damian! Good to hear from you. Natasha's fight was a blast. She fought second last (two girls fought after her), because here in Thailand, the men won't get in the ring after the women have been in it. This made for a fairly long evening. We were out in the sticks again in a place called Hot. There were a couple of young guys from the camp fighting before, so that was cool. It was my first time cornering a fight in Thailand, and it is a helleva lot different then back home. Just so much chaos... all the gamblers coming over screaming at the poor kids, etc. In the first fight, our guy took an elbow that cut him and knocked him down in the first round. He got up by 8, and went on to win the match. What a war.

Natasha's fight was more like a slaughter. She treated the girl like a heavy bag, and the ref stopped it in the third. At one point in time, Natasha threw an uncontested 8 knees in the clinch in a row, and I think the ref stopped it then for a standing 8 for the other girl. Anyways, needless to say she's thrilled, as we all are. We're 2-0 now!

I'll be heading back to North America July 20th. I'll be hitting the camp in Oregon, and than back in Ottawa for the beginning of August. Can't wait to see all the folks back at the academy. Please give them my best.

eighteenvisions,

I don't know where khorat is, but I'm up in the North. I can tell you that the amount of English varies on where you go. Most people who travel to Thailand can get away never having to speak a word of Thai, but I don't think you want to be one of those people.

The language is actually extremely simple... it's the tones that are extremely difficult. Luckily, in my experience, the Thais are pretty good at taking the word you use, running it through all the possible tones, and applying it in an appropriate context.

As I said before, the level of intensity for foreigners at the camp is what you put into it. For the thais, the level is raised a bit, because it is their job. The trainers will get on their backs a bit, because we all remember what it was like to be 16 and a little bit lazy. However, after you fork over the cash as a foreigner, if you want to set up a lawn chair and watch, that's your perogative. I doubt the camp would be too upset. But again, that's not what you want to do... right? My advice would be to just not worry about it. Do the best that you can, DO NOT make the mistake of over exerting yourself the first few weeks here, and have fun. Get used to the slightly sarcastic saying Sanook mai? And on a little more serious note, if you do get popped something serious while training, Jep is the word for ouchy.

David

[chalambok]

Khorat

Eighteenvisions, good luck in Khorat, which is in the Northeast of Thailand, about 260 kilometers from Bangkok. On most maps it is called Nakhon Ratchasima. The name Khorat is from the United States Air Force base that was there during the Vietnam War. It is where Dale Kvalheim trained and fought, so there will be no problem for you finding a gym which can cater to foreigners.

[Damian Mavis]

That's great Dave, tell Natasha everyones really happy for you 2. I look forward to seeing you guys in July. Have fun with the rest of your trip!

Damian Mavis

[eighteenvisions]

OctaviousBP

True the language isn't that hard but those tones throw me off. It's crazy how maa means several different things it just depends on wich tone your using. I appreciate your insight about the camp I do currently work out, but I know it's not on the intensity level over there. Especially with the humidity! I'm still planning on going this fall. As I mentioned b4 my mother is from Khorat and I constantly am attemting to have conversations in Thai. I am trying to fully understand the Language b4 I go, I think it's only right to learn the Language Of a country I plan on staying in. Besides the fact that I am Thai and I want to pass my culture on to my children.

chalambok

Thank you for the geography/history lesson. I knew there was an air base there Becuz of my mom. But I was not aware of the original name. She has always refered to it as Khorat. Is the air base still there?

[Dave Tew]

Hey Octavious, man, are you still in Lanna? I ask because it says in a previous post that you're going home in July so I was wondering if you're still about. If so then are you going to training this afternoon? :P Because if you are then I'll see you there

I've been in Lanna for 3 days now, just did the mountain run this morning (I won by a mile, damn I'm cool) and now trying to escape the heat in an Internet Cafe before heading back to the Up North for a shower and a lay down.

As it happens I am also writing a travel log thing on my forums on my Thailand site so if anyone wants a similar insight into living in Lanna then go and check it out http://www.theapproachingstorm.com/thailand/index.html

I hope you find it interesting everyone and Octavious, maybe I'll see you in a few hours if you're still about

Peace.